Promote Michigan Blog

This year, Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island celebrates its 130th year of serving seasonal guests. As the world’s largest summer hotel, the Musser family’s Grand Hotel boasts 385 rooms, is a member of Historic Hotels of American, is listed with the National Register of Historic Sites, holds countless other distinctions for its time-honored hospitality and is considered one of the top family-run tourist businesses in the state.

Michigan has been welcoming travelers since the 1800s who arrived by steamer ships, trains and later personal automobiles to escape the city heat in Chicago, St. Louis and other locales. They were drawn to the sugar sand beaches, the cool waters and the often allergy-free environment.

Michigan was founded on January 26, 1837 as the 26th state of the United States of America—making this year its 180th Birthday / Anniversary (depending on how you look at it). The Historical Society of Michigan has a fun celebration planned!

Michigan was founded on January 26, 1837 as the 26th state of the United States of America—making this year its 180th Birthday / Anniversary (depending on how you look at it). The Historical Society of Michigan has a fun celebration planned!

Once again, I had the pleasure of traveling around the state (and beyond, including two trips to California) to indulge on tasty appetizers, entrees, soups, salads and desserts. What I realized as I was flipping through my Facebook photos reliving these mouth-watering meals is that many of the dishes that were most memorable were ones I made at home (often, just for myself). Must be the passion from these inspiring chefs has rubbed off on me.

With the holidays just around the corner, what could be better than an evening spent curled up on the couch with a steaming mug of hot cocoa and some classic holiday flicks? If a cozy night in is on your agenda in the coming days, give this list of holiday movies with ties to Michigan a look.

Since the early 1800s, families have hung stockings from the mantle on Christmas Eve, in anticipation of a visit from St. Nicholas. As you plan for this year’s holiday season, look to the Mitten State for unique and inexpensive stocking stuffers for everyone in the family.

I was recently asked “what makes a PR person worth their weight in gold?” Having been active in this industry since 1991, I’ve seen a lot of changes in how things are done—but one thing holds true today, more than ever, PR is about relationships!

Pat Harrison gets paid to play with his food – and he loves it! The former graphic designer and amateur cartoonist has built a reputation as one of the finest pumpkin and vegetable sculptors in Michigan.

“I started with Halloween Pumpkins,” says the outgoing agri-artist, who has dubbed himself ‘Lord of the Gourd.’ “Once I was deemed old enough to carve without cutting off my fingers I was allowed to carve my own creations and I guess I never stopped.”

Novelist, short story writer and screenwriter Richard Matheson (1926-2013) was regarded as one of the world’s premier science fiction writers—yet, his isn’t a household name to many. Ray Bradbury once called Matheson “one of the most important writers of the 20th century.” Stephen King said Mathewson was “the author who influenced me the most as a writer.”